Sage

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAYJ /seɪdʒ/High

Meaning: Wise, knowing; also the fragrant herb SalviaHigh

In 30 seconds: A sleek one-syllable nature name that doubles as a virtue name — 'wise.' It has surged for girls in the 2010s alongside other herb and botanical names.

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Origin HighEnglish, Latin

MeaningWise, knowing; also the fragrant herb Salvia

U.S. rank (2025)#160 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births1,853 girls (0.11% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 30,438

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Sage entered English from Old French sauge, itself from Latin salvia, related to salvus (healthy, safe). The adjective 'sage' meaning 'wise' followed a parallel route from Old French sage, derived from the same Vulgar Latin root. Both threads — herb and wisdom — feed the modern given name.

As a given name, Sage appeared sporadically in the U.S. through the 20th century but climbed sharply for girls from the 2010s, riding the wave of botanical and short unisex names. By 2024 it sat at #146 for girls, used across varied cultural backgrounds.

Did you know? The word sage comes from Latin salvia ('to heal'), because the herb was widely used in medieval medicine — giving the name both a botanical and a wisdom reading.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Sage — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SaigeSayge

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Sage Steele (1972-)
American sports broadcaster and former ESPN anchor
★Sage Stallone (1976-2012)
American actor and son of Sylvester Stallone

If you like Sage…

Willow— nature name with a gentle, flowing character

Hazel— botanical name that blends vintage charm and modern cool

Clover— short herb/plant name with a whimsical feel

Wren— crisp one-syllable nature name on the same trendy arc

Briar— nature-inspired unisex name with a wild, earthy edge

Explore names like Sage

By themeunisex short nature virtue

By meaningWisdom

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sage mean?

Sage means 'wise' and also refers to the fragrant herb; both senses trace to Latin salvia, meaning 'to heal' or 'to save.'

How do you pronounce Sage?

It's said SAYJ — one syllable, rhyming with 'page.'

Is Sage a boy or girl name?

Sage is used for both sexes but trends predominantly female in recent U.S. data.

How popular is Sage?

Sage ranked #146 for U.S. girls in 2024, continuing a steady climb through the 2010s and 2020s.